San Juan County reallocates funds on transportation plan; removes Pear Point sidewalk from near‑term TIP

San Juan County Council voted Oct. 21 to adopt a revised Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2026–2031 and the 2026 Annual Construction Program (ACP) after hearing public testimony and receiving staff recommendations to reallocate limited local funds toward emergent infrastructure needs.

Public Works staff presented a recommendation to shift funding originally identified for a Pear Point–Turnpoint sidewalk project toward the relocations needed at Agate Beach County Park Road, citing emergent safety and coastal infrastructure priorities. Staff indicated $500,000 previously shown as LTAC funding had been obligated for Pear Point and that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) had approved that obligation in a prior year; they described a path for LTAC to reallocate that obligation if council directed the change.

Council discussed the change at length, including the timing of LTAC deliberations and the potential impact to other island projects. After confirming with the auditor's office that the $500,000 was currently budgeted and not part of LTAC’s active deliberations, council approved adopting the TIP and ACP with amendments noting removal of the Pear Point sidewalk from the near‑term TIP and replacing 'pending funding' language with clearer identification of 'road funds' versus other identified sources. The council also asked staff to coordinate formal documentation to LTAC should the committee be asked to reallocate funds.

The action was taken by voice vote during the meeting’s public hearing on the TIP and ACP. Staff noted that many projects on the TIP remain contingent on outside funding, and that the county would continue to pursue grants and other revenue to deliver the priority array.